There's been a delay.

Work got a little bit busy, or more so than usual.  So Cricut Wednesday is being postponed.  It should be up by next Wednesday, if not sooner.

LegalbeaglePanda

Silhouette Thursday #2 : Using your Silhouette to Fussy Cut around your Clear Acrylic Stamps

It's the first Thursday in November, so you know it's time for the Silhouette Thursday video.  Well for this months video, we looked at the trace and offset feature of the Silhouette Studio Design Software.  The video does an overview, of how you can use those features with the acrylic stamps you have in your collection.  CLICK HERE to see the video.

No time for the video right now, let me give you a written rundown.

There are times when you decide that you want to cut close around a stamped image (fussy cutting) you are using in your project.  How about we avoid using our scissors, and bust out our Silhouette machine. Pick your stamp, fire up your scanner and let's get started.

The first thing you want to do is stamp your image, and then scan it into your computer.  I saved my scanned file in as a .jpeg.  Now open up Silhouette Studio application and open your scanned file onto the mat.  Next your going to select the trace feature, and trace around your image.  Get as close to the image as possible.  Select the trace edge option, and you can now pull away the outline of your stamped image. Your almost done, but now you need to select the offset option, and create the amount of distance your want to be around your image.  When you get the distance that suits you, select apply, now you can pull away the offset outline away from your trace image.  Now copy that offset image as many times as you want and cut the image out as you would normally.  

What you now have is a perfectly die-cut shape, take your stamp, and stamp away.

HAPPY CRAFTING

LEGALBEAGLEPANDA

Silhouette Cameo Project - Halloween

Alas, October is at a close.  Nope, I didn't get dressed up in a costume.  But I did make a take some candy sign for a friend to post at their house for all those kids that would stop by while they were out.  
The signed is made using my Silhouette Cameo.  I actually took a card design (Design ID #50104 ) and then selected the knife tool, and cut just below the perforated line.  I then enlarged the bottom half of the card to the size I wanted.  I used the LD Frightmares Font (of course I can't find the design #), if I remember where the font came from I will update the post and let you know.  I took a little bit of glitter and a red stamp pad and went to work.  I also added some wiggly eyes that I had in my embellishment stash.

Happy Crafting

LegalbeaglePanda

ETCHING CREAM

I kept seeing projects using etching cream and I really wanted to try my hand at glass etching.  So I went looking for the brand that I saw people using, but I could not find it in the store.  In fact a lot of the big box stores did not appear to sell etching cream.  Well I looked online, and the cost of the cream plus the shipping seemed a little much, given the size of the bottle (2 - 3 ounces).
Then I was walking through Michael's and you guessed it, I saw etching cream.  The one I found was made by Martha Stewart, came in an 5 + ounce bottle and had a little brush to use.  I was able to use a coupon so the price for the size turned out to be really good.
Now there are a bunch of stencils you can buy, but I have die cutting machines and vinyl. You can click here and watch the video for the doing this glass which I used the Winter Wonderland Cricut Cartridge for the shape.

Here is also a picture of my first attempt at etching, for this one cutout I used the Silhouette Cameo ( I give love to both my machines)

I think some folks are going to get gifts this holiday season that have some personalized etching.

HAPPY CRAFTING

LegalbeaglePanda

SVG Instruction Sheets

Since getting the Silhouette Cameo, I have found myself bouncing around different sites, that say free SVG files.  There are a lot of people out there that are willing to share what they have designed.  I thought today I would talk briefly about one site in particular which is Miss Kate Cuttables . Now the name may seem familiar to you since their designs are also for sale at the Silhouette Store.  Now I've bought their designs from both the Silhouette Store and directly from the website.  However, there is a difference in what you receive when buying the files from one or the other.

At the Silhouette Store you get the cut already in the studio format, which means that you don't need to upgrade to the Designer Edition in order to use the file.  Upon purchase it will automatically be loaded in to you image library within the Design Studio Software.

  

When you buy the design from the website, you get the file in a couple of different formats to use (SVG, JPG & PNG).  Plus you get a PDF file that gives you instructions on how to layer the image once cut.  I absolutely love the instruction sheet.  This might be because I'm use to looking at the image in color and broken in to sections from using my Cricut handbooks.  As you saw from the video posted last time.  In order not to loss my way with the piece I try to color code them so I figure out what goes where and not to waste paper.  The files bought from the website are already colored filled matching the colors on the instruction sheet. You can of course change the colors if you are utilizing the print and cut feature with the machine.  

Some things to remember when using SVG files.  You'll need to upgrade to the Designer Edition in order to use them.  Your file will be stored on your hard drive so make a folder so they are easier to find, but know that you can also import the file to your Design Studio library.  Also, you will need to switch the lines to cut lines since when you open them in the software the lines are set at no cut.

I'm know that there are a bunch of sites that have cutfiles for free and purchase.  I haven't stumbled into one that has an instruction sheet attached, otherwise I would be talking about them too.  So if you know of other sites that include instruction sheets with their downloads, leave me a comment telling me where, I would love to check it out.

HAPPY CRAFTING

LEGALBEAGLE

2nd Wednesday: Winter Wonderland Cricut Cartridge

I'm a little late with with the 2nd Wednesday post and video (sorry), but that's 'cause I've been sick.  This first 2nd Wednesday video is featuring the Winter Wonderland Cricut Cartridge.  I've posted a video which you can check out by CLICKING HERE.  The video goes over briefly what you can find on this cartridge, and three different projects that I did using the cartridge.  You find an idea for a layout or home decor project, two Christmas cards, and a 3-d ornament.  

In the remaining weeks of the month, I will try to post some photographs of other projects (mostly cards), that I made using this cartridge.

HAPPY CRAFTING,

Legalbeagle

Silhouette Thursday Episode 1: Quick Tip

Welcome to the first Silhouette Thursday.  I decided to start off with a video, which you will find below or on our YouTube channel.  I'm going to apologize for the sound of the video.  I tried out  new software and didn't realize that I needed to speak a little bit louder.

Anyway, this quick tip is just something that I find helps me organize the pieces of my cut file on my mat, and helps me not to waste paper.  I know your thinking well what's the tip.  I'll give you a hint, you'll be using the spilled paint bucket icon to help sort out the pieces of your cut file.  Click on the video below to see what I mean.

If you have any questions, comments or thoughts we'd love to hear from you so leave us a comment.

Happy Crafting 

LegalBeagle